Sehwag's century puts Indians in command

Opener Virender Sehwag smashed the Essex bowlers on way a brilliant 142 on the penultimate day of the four-day match in Chelmsford on Friday as the Indians closed on a strong 231 for two in their second knock.

Sehwag bludgeoned the home bowlers in his 156 ball essay with 18 fours and five sixes as Indians tightened the screws with an overall lead of 468 runs.

Earlier the visitors, helped by a seven wicket haul by Harbhajan Singh, had dismissed Essex for 279 to take a 237-run first innings lead.

Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar shared a second wicket stand of 209 runs to take the game further away from Essex.

The duo batted in contrasting style with Sehwag attacking and Bangar playing the anchor role with an eye on the third Test at Headingley starting next week.

Sehwag hit with such ferocity that at least two balls were lost.

Bangar played a classical innings with shots mostly along the ground to improve his chances of playing in the third Test.

Essex resumed at their overnight score of 173 for 3 and lost the last seven wickets for the addition of only 106 runs as Harbhajan, bowling unchanged, claimed five for 45 from his 18-over spell in the morning session.

Harbhajan removed dangerman Andy Flower (59) caught at slips and then ran through the rest in a fine exhibition of spin and drift on a dry yet slow surface.

The Indians chose not to enforce the follow on and preferred to try out a few options sending out Bangar and Parthiv Patel to open the second innings.

The visitors have had gains from the match. They were able to identify an in form opener and a spinner, Das and Harbhajan respectively from this outing ahead of the crucial third Test starting on Thursday.

There is little to choose between the wicketkeepers, Ajay Ratra and Patel.

The Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was very disappointed with his medium-pacers Tinu Yohannan and Ajit Agarkar and did not give them another bowl this morning.

Harbhajan first struck in his fourth over when left-handed Flower, unbeaten on 45 yesterday, edged him to lone slip Ganguly, after facing 130 balls and hitting eight fours.

His next victim was Jon Dakin (4) who was caught by Parthiv Patel - who kept wickets on Friday instead of Ajay Ratra.

Harbhajan then removed Essex captain Ronnie Irani (20) as the hosts slipped to 230 for seven.